Stanley M. Dahl

Stanley M. Dahl, age 90, passed away on Monday, January 3, 2011 at the Friendship Unit of Skaalen Sunset Nursing Home.   He was born on July 4, 1920 in the Township of Deerfield to the late Lars and Josie (Haakinson) Dahl.   Stanley graduated from Deerfield High School in 1938.   He then operated a portable feed mill for his uncle Ben in eastern Dane County.   In 1941 he enrolled in a vocational course for the operation and maintenance of construction equipment.   He used these skills working at Kutz-Valstad Company and in his service in the Army.   Stanley served as a sergeant in the 842D Engineer Aviation Battalion, building airstrips in the island hopping campaign of WWII on New Guinea, Leyte, Bismarck Archipelago, and Okinawa.   On March 26, 1949 Stanley married Thelma G. Rustad.   They raised a family and farmed near Utica for the next 40 years.   Stanley worked at Sub-Zero, Melser Candy Company, N&I90 Tour Center, and Wisconsin Fineblanking over these years also.   After retiring, he continued to help his sons in the farming operation.   He also assisted his older relatives with their special needs.   Stanley was proud of his Norwegian heritage and made several trips to Norway with his father to visit relatives.   He enjoyed the Syttende Mai celebrations, Packers football, and NASCAR racing.   He provided leadership assistance for the Cambridge 4-H Club.   For many years Stanley and Thelma were woodworking superintendents at the Stoughton Junior Fair.   Stanley is survived by two sons, Steven and Michael (Kristie Johnson) Dahl; two brothers, Raymond (Delores) and Leonard Dahl; brother-in-law, Marvin Rustad; sister-in-law Karen Peterson; special niece Marlene Olson; and many loving nieces, nephews and cousins.   He was preceded in death by his wife Thelma; sister-in-law, Grace Dahl; and brothers-in-law Peter Rustad, Olaf Rustad, and Sheldon Peterson.   Funeral services will be held on Thursday, January 6, 2010 at 11:00 am at St. Paul's Liberty Lutheran Church, 3494 Oak Park Rd., Deerfield.  Burial will follow at the church cemetery.   The family will greet friends at the Olson-Holzhuter-Cress Funeral Home in Deerfield on Wednesday, January 5 from 4:00 to 7:00 pm, and again at church on Thursday from 10:00 am until the time of service.